3/5/2025: Ash Wednesday

ASH WEDNESDAY

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, reminding us of our mortality and calling us to repent. The ancient practice of imposing ashes on the foreheads of the faithful is what gives Ash Wednesday its name. The church father Tertullian (c. A.D. 160-215) writes of the practice as a public expression of repentance and of our human frailty that stands in need of Christ. Ashes can remind us forcefully of our need for redeeming grace as they recall words from the rite of Christian burial—“earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust…”—words that will someday be spoken over us all.

OPEN DOOR POLICIES: LOWERING OUR DEFENSES

Whenever someone accuses us of doing wrong, it’s easy to get defensive. We make excuses. “I’m not that bad.” We try and balance the scales. “Okay, that was wrong. But look at all the good I do!” We play the comparison game. “At least I’m not like him!” When our defenses go up, repentance is impossible.

God, however, has a strategy for lowing our defenses. He assures us that his door is open, and that his home is the place we don’t need to pretend to be something that we’re not—perfect. Our Father does not ask us to come to him and confess our sin so that he might know what we’ve done. He already knows. He asks us to repent so that we might fully know what we’ve done. Only when we grasp the true weight of our sin, will we call out to God for mercy. When we do, God is always quick to forgive.

Our worship follows this pattern.

Ash Wednesday Lowering Our Defenses

First Sunday in Lent One Stands; Everyone Else Sits

Second Sunday in Lent No Detours Allowed

Third Sunday in Lent Always Present, Always Patient

Fourth Sunday in Lent Grace Instead of Condemnation

Fifth Sunday in Lent Hiding Treasure in the Trash

Pastor David Clark preaches on Luke 18:9–14; “Losing The Blame Game”

Watch service online. (Wednesday, 4:30PM MST)

View or download this week's service folder.